Maine coon cats have been around for such a long time, you probably think you know everything there is to know about the breed. The truth is that these cats, which are known as the “gentle giants” of their species, have a very interesting story, and we rounded up a few facts that might surprise even the most knowledgeable Maine coon fan.
1. Maine coon cats are HUGE felines.
The average male Maine coon can weigh up to a whopping 18 pounds. The breed has even been mistaken for a bobcat before!
2. There are several very interesting theories about the Maine coon’s origin.
Many believe these cats are descendants of the ones brought to Maine by Queen Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution, and another theory is that Maine coons originated when semi-wild domesticated cats managed to breed with raccoons. The most likely explanation for the breed is that they resulted from short-haired cats which mated with domesticated long haired-cats brought over by the Vikings in the 1700s.
3. Maine coons are built to survive the freezing winter temperatures.
Their beautiful bushy tails are meant to wrap around their bodies to keep them warm when it gets too cold.
4. The Maine coon’s coat doesn’t only come in brown…
While we typically think of this particular breed as having a raccoon-like coloring, Maine coons can actually come in many different colors. Other colors include smoke, cream, cameo, mackerel, and tortoiseshell colorings are all recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) as purebred coats.
5. Maine coons won America’s very first juried cat exhibition.
Held at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1895, one of the very first recorded juried cat exhibitions in the United States recognized the Maine coon as its choice for the “Best Cat” award.
6. This breed is very popular everywhere, not just in Maine.
Back in 2015, the CFA reported that Maine coons were the third-most popular breed in America. According to other statistics, Europe and Japan also have love for the Maine coon.
7. A Maine coon cat was one of the stars of the Harry Potter movie series.
That’s correct! Three Maine coon cats were cast for the role of Mrs. Norris, that was Argus Filch’s pet.
8. The very first commercially cloned pet was a Maine coon cat.
A Maine coon cat, whose name was Little Nicky, was the first cat to be cloned commercially in 2004 when his owner paid $50,000 to a now-defunct company for the service. California-based Genetic Savings & Clone, Inc. transplanted Little Nicky’s DNA directly into an egg cell, and a surrogate mama cat gave birth to a kitten with looks and a temperament much like Little Nicky’s.
9. The longest cat in the world ever is a Maine coon.
This humongous breed is on record with Guinness as the longest domestic cat in the entire world. Stewie, an 8-year-old Maine coon, has the great honor of this distinction.
10. A Maine coon also happens to be the world’s oldest cat.
Corduroy the Maine coon is now an unbelievable 26 years old! Guinness World Records has named him as the oldest domesticated cat in the world today.
11. Unlike other breeds of cats, Maine coons love the water.
It’s not your typical kitty behavior, however, Maine coons can’t seem get enough time in the water. Perhaps the reason is due to their dense, moisture-repellent coats. No one knows for sure, but many Maine coon owners have definitely reported this pattern.
12. Many Maine coons are polydactyls.
Hemingway’s cats aren’t the only felines with six toes. Maine coons are another breed which has been known to sport an extra thumb from time to time.
The Maine coon is most definitely one of the most fascinating cat breeds in the world!
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